TWO community partnerships are to be given the chance to manage and operate business accommodation in the Dales.

Richmondshire District Council is handing over 12 units in Hawes and Reeth in an effort to put control of economic growth back into the hands of local communities.

The Upper Wensleydale Community Partnership and the Two Dales Community Company will manage facilities at 7-11 The Reeth Dales Centre and at Raynes Court in Hawes.

The move forms part of the authority’s plans to boost economic growth in the district. The seven units in Hawes and five craft units in Reeth are currently home to a number of small businesses.

The expectation is that when tenants move on and units become empty, the community partnerships will have the local knowledge to find new small local businesses seeking accommodation, or will know of people wishing to start a new business.

Cllr Yvonne Peacock, council leader, said it was an exciting development.

"The council recognises the importance of local knowledge and believes they will be best placed to run these workshop schemes in the future," she said.

The Reeth Dales Centre units were built in 2005 and Raynes Court in 2004. Both are currently fully occupied.